John Steinbeck News

Of Mice and Men, one of the greatest and most enduring American classics, has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years. Performances begin March 19, 2014 and officially opens April 16, 2014 at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street, NYC). American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning today, January 11, 2014 through January 22, 2014.

An award that honors those who embody the spirit of legendary folk singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie will be presented to American folk singer Pete Seeger during an inaugural event Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City.

Word for Word presents "36 Stories by Sam Shepard" arranged for the stage and directed by Amy Kossow opening with a press night on Saturday May 24 8pm, running through June 22 (previews May 21-23) at Z Space's second venue, Z Below, at 470 Florida Street. For this year-long celebration of Sam Shepard's 70th birthday, Magic Theatre spearheaded revivals of his most acclaimed works in theaters all across the Bay Area. "What sets "36 Stories by Sam Shepard" apart is that these are Shepherd's prose stories, turned into performance, the only completely new work created for the celebration..." remarks Word for Word co-artistic director Susan Harloe. "Word for Word was invited to create an original work by adapting his prose for the stage." Company member Amy Kossow spent a year sifting through five of Mr. Shepard's collections of short stories, eventually choosing to begin with a single story, set, simply enough, in a roadside diner. The resulting script, "36 Stories by Sam Shepard", weaves together tales of his beloved great American desert highways, the endless lonesome roads along which one may meet any type of fellow wanderer.

Of Mice and Men, one of the greatest and most enduring American classics, has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years. Performances begin March 19, 2014 and officially opens April 16, 2014 at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street, NYC). Tickets go on sale beginning January 11, 2014. This is a strictly limited engagement through July 27, 2014. Entertainment Weekly has just revealed the poster art for the new show, and you can check it out below!

Vision, Faith, & Desire II: Dancemakers Inspired by Martha Graham will be co-presented by Winifred Haun & Dancers and the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events February 6-8 at the Pritzker Pavilion, in doors on the stage. The program will feature works by: Randy Duncan, Winifred Haun, and Lizzie Leopold. Jeff Hancock and former Graham principal dancer Paul Sansardo and his Company, Paul Sansardo & Dancers, will premiere new works.

Tony Award winner Jim Norton (Candy) joins Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd and Leighton Meester in Of Mice and Men, a new Broadway production directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro.

Hillbarn Theatre will present THE GRAPES OF WRATH by Frank Galati, from the novel by John Steinbeck, and directed by Greg Fritsch, with music by Greg Sudmeier. The show runs January 23 - February 9, 2014.

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents Se Llama Cristina, by Octavio Solis, directed by Robert Castro. This production is the final stop on the National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, which included productions at The Magic Theater in San Francisco and Kitchen Dog in Dallas. Opening night is Saturday, January 25, 2014 on the Main Stage at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 North Mentor Avenue.

Producer David Binder announces Leighton Meester ('Gossip Girl', Country Strong) will join Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco and Chris O'Dowd in Of Mice and Men, a new production directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro.

Producer David Binder officially announces Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco & Chris O'Dowd will make their Broadway debuts in Of Mice and Men, a new production directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro. Of Mice and Men, one of the greatest and most enduring American classics, has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years.

After receiving critical acclaim and overwhelming demand by South Florida audiences, Of Mice and Men, a searing work by John Steinbeck about friendship and responsibility set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, will extend its performance schedule through November 17th at Palm Beach Dramaworks' Don & Ann Brown Theatre (201 Clematis Street). The production will play the following additional performances: Friday 11/15 at 8pm, Saturday 11/16 at 8pm and Sunday 11/17 at 2pm.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck tells a great story of hope for something more while also knowing that one's lot in life is difficult to overcome. Reviewing Steinbeck's script and/or story is a ridiculous idea so I will not even touch it other than to say that obviously it was great. And this cast and crew did a great job interpreting the script and leaving all their emotions on the stage.

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, John Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN will be heading to Broadway beginning (tentatively) Saturday, March 22, 2014, with an opening night slated for Thursday, April 17, 2014. The show is set to run through Sunday, July 27, 2014. The play will be directed by Anna D. Shapiro. James Franco has just confirmed in an interview with US Weekly that he will lead the production as 'George', and Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids, Girls) will costar as 'Lennie.' Additional casting has not yet been announced.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, continues their 20th Anniversary Season with the John Steinbeck's classic 'Of Mice and Men', playing tonight, October 18-November 10, 2013. This production is directed by Drew Fracher and features CSC Resident Ensemble members Jeremy Dubin and Jim Hopkins. The production design is sponsored by Raymond James. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Now according to the New York Times, the production will be led by James Franco as 'George', who has been long rumored to be involved with the revival. Though no one has signed on to play 'Lennie', Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids, Girls) is in talks to make his Broadway debut in the role. Additional casting has not yet been announced.

BroadwayWorld received an Equity auditions notice today for John Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN, which will be heading to Broadway beginning (tentatively) Saturday, March 22, 2014, with an opening night slated for Thursday, April 17, 2014. The show is set to run through Sunday, July 27, 2014. The play will be directed by Anna D. Shapiro.

'To be, or not to be - that is the question' addressed by the Tony Award-winning Acting Company as they bring their newest production, William Shakespeare's Hamlet, to the Harris Center/Three Stages. According to the New York Times 'The Acting Company endures as the major touring classical theater in the United States.' This will be the first production of Hamlet in The Acting Company's 41-year history.

With the well-kept values that form the bedrock of American morality; the homespun, pragmatic wisdom of the pioneer spirit; and the still unchanged sense of Americans belonging to an Edenic youth, author Jody Wood records the coming of technology and the slow awakening of American youth to a globalized outlook during Eisenhower's presidency. Life becomes a post-World War II American romance for Wood's readers in the new memoir 'You're Going to Boarding School'.

Of Mice and Men, a searing work by John Steinbeck about friendship and responsibility set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, launches Palm Beach Dramaworks' 2013-2014 season tonight, October 11 (8pm) at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre (201 Clematis Street). Performances continue through November 10, 2013.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that Rogue Valley, lauded local folk-rock band, is the next featured act in itsNew Century Sessions, at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2013. This new Minnesota music series, sponsored by Park Nicollet Health Services, gives artists a chance not only to play, but to share the evolution of their work and commune with the audience. The series runs at the Trust's intimate New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis and opened in September with a sold-out Jeremy Messersmith show. Twin Cities' band The Starfolk (Brian Tighe/Allison LaBonne) opens. New Century Sessions will showcase four more performances to be announced later.